“Come play out in the sunshine.” I once said to myself

but then I knew I couldn’t reach my heart up on the shelf.

It’s up there for safekeeping; but it’s also out of reach;

it’s hidden to protect it from my lifestyles constant screech.

I knew that I might need it one day when I was old

when life had sapped my energy and left my blood run cold.

So I stored it for safekeeping, protected from life’s pain;

knowing that the world around would drive my heart insane.

Today I gaze up at it, bewilded and in despair

because down here without it, I simply do not care.

Away back in my younger day when I still had my heart

I marvelled at the beauty that is life’s work of art.

But nowadays I just sit here and look up at the shelf

and wonder how to get there so I can help myself.